NEW DELHI: Air India has terminated the captain of a flight after investigators found that the aircraft briefly lost all three hydraulic systems during a mid-air incident that injured 24 people last month. The pilot was also found to have tested positive for psychoactive substances in a confirmatory test.
The Airbus A320 was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it encountered trouble on August 4 while operating from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi. The aircraft suddenly lost altitude, causing injuries to 24 people, before recovering and landing safely. India’s civil aviation ministry classified the incident as a “serious incident.”
According to a preliminary report issued Friday by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft’s flight-control system recorded a temporary loss of all three hydraulic systems lasting several seconds.
The report said the aircraft experienced an altitude disturbance, initially climbing by 372 feet before descending 292 feet.
The hydraulic problem resulted in the autopilot disconnecting and was followed by a stall warning lasting about two seconds. The systems then recovered, allowing the aircraft to return to normal operation.
Investigators also reported that the pilot in command was found “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance during a confirmatory test. The AAIB described the finding as a serious concern.
Air India said it had terminated the pilot with immediate effect, citing its zero-tolerance policy regarding violations involving safety, fitness and regulatory requirements.
The incident has also prompted wider scrutiny of drug-testing procedures in India’s aviation sector. The civil aviation ministry said after the incident that it was considering stricter screening requirements for psychoactive substances. Air India separately ordered a one-time mandatory drug screening for all its pilots.
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The latest incident adds to the challenges facing Air India, which is owned by the Tata Group and has been working to transform the airline after a series of setbacks. The carrier has also faced disruptions to its operations linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Air India suffered its most serious recent setback in June 2025, when Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. All but one of the 242 people aboard were killed, along with 19 people on the ground.
The airline appointed Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive last month. The former Ethiopian Airlines chief has been tasked with helping the carrier navigate its current difficulties and move towards profitability.
Airbus and France’s civil aviation safety agency, the BEA, are assisting Indian authorities with the investigation into the latest incident.
